Retention bolts for limb bolts-Are they necessary?

[CarlosII]

I've had other bows that had small bolts that are designed to keep the limb bolts from backing out. There's no such small bolts on my Scepter V. The previous owner of my Shadowcat had placed nylon bolts in the threaded holes in the riser that made contact with the limb bolts in order to keep the bolts from backing out, I guess.

My question is, are these retaining bolts necessary or not?

[gstudt]

I've had other bows that had small bolts that are designed to keep the limb bolts from backing out. There's no such small bolts on my Scepter V. The previous owner of my Shadowcat had placed nylon bolts in the threaded holes in the riser that made contact with the limb bolts in order to keep the bolts from backing out, I guess.

My question is, are these retaining bolts necessary or not?

Necessary? That can be debated.

Can they move. Yep! Will they move?

Do I lock them down with a set screw. Yes! 100% of them.

[bfisher]

They are only necessary if a bow shows a tendency for the limb bolts to back out due to vibration. Are they an absolute must? Not really. It depends on what your bow does. I use the ones with a brass tip as they work better than those with nylon, but I don't use them on every bow.

[ftshooter]

I have never had them on my Martins and never had needed them..If bolts tend to back out ,,I guess a guy could use a little blue loc tite....

[Speedykills]

i would say no,but you never know..............

[Phantonza]

At least if you don't use max. pounds, you should put marks on your limb bolts so you can follow if they keep their position or not. If you use max. pounds, it is of course easy to observe by occasionally turning the bolts if they are fully screwed in or not. I also have a feeling (not sure though) that there is less tendency to creep if the limb bolts are fully screwed in.

I have an Onza 3 that I have set to 56 pounds and the limb bolts have the tendency to back out when shooting if the retention bolts are not installed. So I use the retention bolts with a nylon tip (I don't quite understand Bfisher's point about brass tipped bolts - I have had zero problems with nylon tips and they won't ruin the threads of the limb bolts).